Epsteins previous books have been a mish-mash "between fact & fiction" as he called one of his books addressing the "problem of journalism". He had good CIA access at one time and a certain slant.

I don't have much time for so-called 'investigative journalism'. Isn't all journalism supposed to be investigative?

Six months before his downfall, DSK appeared on French TV,a prime-time news magazine. It was a strange performance. Firstly the camera followed his tubby figure down a narrow corridor for some time, his expression unconvincing like a bad actor, until he emerged for a very matter of fact interview. There was a decided air of unreality about it all. Maybe it was arranged that way by the producers, the network being owned by Sarkosys friend.

Sarkosy would have made mincemeat out of him and not by fair means.
Though quite capable of conspiracy,there wasn't one but they would have been sizing him up very early on. Probing. Sensing that he was the proverbial "Man without Qualities" and relishing his candidacy.

Events turned out differently. Fortunately, for France.

Regarding the rape allegation I have a few points.

Rape is largely unreported. When reported it is the most difficult crime to prove. It is possible for a prostitute to justly claim rape as it is for a wife to of a husband. False claims are rare. So I usually side with the womans version.

So in your mind in a "civilized county" women should have no right to defend themselves from armed men? They should just accept victimization, since after all, there are resources to treat them after they've been raped? You are sick.

Interesting write up. Feels a little too brief, but I guess the journalists get word limits.

Only complaint: I think the reference to fellatio could have been referenced in the second paragraph in a little more formal, professional manner; and not sound like dialogue from "Fast Times at Ridgemont High".

I think the KGB and its predecessor, the Okhrana excelled at that, as well as with snaring gays (like the Colonel Redl affair of 1913?).
With the CIA, I think it came to down to bribery, like the alleged safe houses/party houses in Hakone back in the 50's for buying off Japanese politicians of all stripes with bags of cash, booze, women and even drugs. Not sure how they made it out of the onsens after all that....?

Just to refute your point that she said "Don't worry, this guy has a lot of money. I know what I'm doing".

She didn't say that as you have written it down. She said those words in several bits spread out through a longer conversation. These bits were then 'edited' together by the media to give a meaning that doesn't exist in her actual words. Check the transcript if you don't believe me.

You're obviously not too well yourself, if you took that interpretation. Guns and violence, just as guns and war, are a form of aggression; so is rape. Countries that equate being "civilized" with being well-armed are usually male-dominated and not too sympathetic to rape victims.